| Submit your comments on this article |
| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Welch urges Lebanese MPs to select independent president |
| 2007-05-17 |
| BEIRUT: Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs David Welch said Wednesday that Lebanon's next president "should not be beholden to outside parties." That'd be Syria... Welch repeatedly insisted the US has "no opinion to express on who should be president," and the matter is for Parliament to decide, adding that the Lebanese also expect their representatives to do their duty. While Welch said his government does not expect the next Lebanese president to "agree with the United States all the time," the US does expect the leader will not acquiesce to any external party. "The Lebanese people have a unique opportunity now to take their future in their hands by electing a new president on time and in accordance with the Constitution," he said during a news conference at the Grand Serail after a 90-minute meeting with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. On the last day of his two-day visit, the US envoy held a string of meetings with Lebanese officials Wednesday, including Speaker Nabih Berri, former President Amin Gemayel and Army commander General Michel Suleiman. He also met Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. "For the members of Lebanon's democratically elected Parliament, casting a vote for president, freely and without coercion, would be a significant milestone toward the Lebanese people's goal of sovereignty and independence," Welch said. |
| Posted by:Fred |